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These are no longer your 2012 49ers. One defensive change is likely to include more rotation on the defensive line.

“That’s the plan,” starting defensive end Ray McDonald said. “The younger guys are getting a lot more reps now. We expect them to come in and take the load off of me and Justin (Smith).

Last season, Smith and McDonald rarely left the field. They were the defensive ends in the standard 3-4 front, then they would switch to defensive tackle in the nickel defense.

The load might have been too great. Smith, for example, partially tore his triceps tendon against the Patriots in game 14 and missed the rest of the regular season. When he returned for the playoffs, he wasn’t the same. The defense went from averaging just over two touchdowns a game before the Smith injury, to allowing four touchdowns a game

That’s why the team used high draft picks on Auburn pass rusher Corey Lemonier and Florida State defensive end Tank Carradine.

“Hey, I’m looking forward to it,” McDonald said about getting relief. “If the young guys can go in there and there’s no drop off, great. That’s the way it is looking right now.”

The team is also likely to use Demarcus Dobbs and Will Tukuafu as rotational players.